by After the embarrassing 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders, the season looks lost at 1-4 as the Cleveland Browns appear to be the worst team in the entire NFL. It is almost impossible to fathom that they were the favorite by many to win the AFC North this year and return to the playoffs. Sadly, this fall from grace isn’t the result of one offseason decision, but rather, several. Also, sadly, when you stop and think about it, the downfall was also extremely predictable.
We decided to break down everything this team did wrong between the months of January and September 2024, to completely tank this season before it could even begin. Enjoy below!
Why not keep Flacco around just in case?
Flacco had the best single season performance of a Cleveland Browns quarterback since Derek Anderson in 07, and they made zero effort to bring him back. He knew the offense well; he commanded respect and the players loved playing for him. Sure, he may have a tossed a pick here and there, but what game did he lose for the Browns as their starter? In the playoff game, the Browns defense couldn’t stop a single thing the Texans put out there. Anyone who blames him for the loss in the postseason, is clueless.
In 5 regular season starts in Cleveland, Flacco went 4-1 with that only loss coming in his debut when he was just learning the offense, and still played well in Los Angeles. Flacco threw for 1,616 yards in those 5 starts along with 13 touchdowns. Watson, in five starts this season has thrown for 852 yards and 5 touchdowns. Let’s face it, 2 of those 5 touchdowns came in garbage time when the games were already decided against Dallas and Washington.
Let’s face it folks, Flacco is just straight up better for this team, this offense and this city!
With Chubb hurt, why not re-sign Kareem Hunt to a one-year deal?
Hunt led the Cleveland Browns in touchdowns last year with 11 touchdowns in 15 games including the playoff loss to Houston. He clearly has miles left on the tires and is a force at the goal line. The Browns knew that Chubb wouldn’t be back early in the 2024 season, if at all, and yet, they chose not to sign Hunt.
Why did they fire Alex Van Pelt and Stump Mitchell?
The Browns had one of the best offenses last year that saw 4 different starting quarterbacks win pivotal games, and yet, OC Alex Van Pelt was let go days after the season. The same fate went to Stump Mitchell, the player beloved running back coach who got yards out of everyone who touched the ball. Two mind boggling moves the Browns still haven’t recovered from.
No Preseason work
I’m the first one to tell you that pre-season is about the most pointless event in all of sports. However, when you have key players coming off season ending injuries or even free agents coming to your team, you must play them. Rust is real, and getting comfortable in the system is very real.
With a new OC, and Watson missing the final 9 games of 2023, they were insane to sit the signal caller during preseason. Those were valuable snaps they allowed him to skip, and the proof is crystal clear now just how important those snaps were as he is lost in the soup.
Why not sign Amari Cooper to a long-term big money extension?
Cooper is the best and most consistent receiver the Cleveland Browns have had since returning to the league in 1999, and when he told them he wanted to stay here long-term, they insulted him and refused to pay him big money or sign him long-term. His name was then floated in trade rumors with the 49ers, before the Browns eventually traded for locker room cancer Jerry Jeudy. Cooper is now more disgruntled then ever and having his worst season as a pro.
Drafting Zak Zinter in the 3rd round
Zinter was a stiff at Michigan, and the fact that the Browns drafted him as high as they did was dumb in the first place. With as bad as he has been, is anyone shocked? With the often-injured Jack Conklin yet again hurt, Zinter has been a giant bust!
The addition of Ken Dorsey
He flamed out in Buffalo with a LOADED roster, why bring him here? And, if you insist on bringing him in, why not let him call the plays in the offense he designed? Again, KEEP FLACCO, KEEP VAN PELT AND NONE OF THIS IS AN ISSUE!
Why not do something different with Myles Garrett?
Garret remains the best pass rusher in Cleveland Browns history, but also the most one-dimensional player in NFL history. Until he can do anything else, the Browns defense will always struggle. It is simply not working.
Why do they focus on everything but football?
I don’t want to hear anything else about a stadium in Brook Park, Right now, the only focus should be on the team.
Bite the bullet, eat the money and trade or sit Deshaun Watson already. It is simply not going to work and the longer he stays in, the worse it is going to get.
